Inkscape

How do you separate an image created in photoshop into seperate colors on seperate layers and then create a black version of each color so a silk screen printer can make a transparency from it? And How should you save the file so they can read it in illustrator or corell draw?

Asked by matthew

I have designed a T-shirt for someone using photoshop elements. I put each of 5 colors on a different layer, then copied each layer and selected for the color then filled the selection with black. My thinking was that in this way the t-shirt company could see the intended image and then print each color in black seperately so they could burn each screen. I have done this in the past. This time they said that in order to print from a photoshop file they would have to do additional work and something about tracing the type, or providing a ttif file to insure that the correct type face is used. I don't understand why this would be a problem. But to try to fix the problem from my end I would like to provide them with a file that they can use. However I can not figure out how to produce a color seperated image using inkscape and the next problem I will face is how to save it so thy can open and read and use the file in adobe "illustrator 10 or less". Any help out there?

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pbhj (pbhj) said : 		#1

"Questions for Inkscape" the clues in the title .. are you using Inkscape?

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Guillermo Espertino (Gez) (gespertino-gmail) said : 		#2

Matthew: I think you have things a little bit mixed.
First, if you created your design in Photoshop, then you created a bitmap image, and the people who prints the t-shirts apparently want vectors. In that case Inkscape would be the right tool for that, because it is intended for vector drawings (just like Illustrator or Corel).
Is it possible to create artwork from inkscape and save it in a format that both illustrator and corel can read: PDF.
You just need a recent development version of Inkscape (grab one from www.inkscape.org, in the download section under the "nightly builds" title).
In this particular case (silk screen printing) I'd recommend you to use ONLY vectors and no bitmaps or effects (like blurs, gradients, soft shadows, etc)
You can try to import your image into inkscape and use the trace bitmap command. As an option, you can use the bucket fill tool to fill closed areas with color.
Once you have a vector file of your design, save it as PDF of EPS and send it to your printer.
That should be fine.

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matthew (mgreen-kcs) said : 		#3

My real problem is I have already completed the design in photoshop and am
trying to provide art in the format that this printer requests. So I need a
way to import my photoshop image into inkscape with seperstions intact, and
then save it as a PDF or EPS
thanks for the help

-----Original Message-----
From: pbhj <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:14:28 -0000
Subject: Re: [Question #66867]: How do you separate an image created in
photoshop into seperate colors on seperate layers and then create a black
version of each color so a silk screen printer can make a transparency from
it? And How should you save the file so they can read it in illustrator or
corell draw?

Your question #66867 on Inkscape changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/66867

    Status: Open => Needs information

pbhj requested for more information:
"Questions for Inkscape" the clues in the title .. are you using
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Guillermo Espertino (Gez) (gespertino-gmail) said : 		#4

A vector illustration program isn't the right tool for color separations.
If you created your artwork in photoshop, you'll have to separate the colors in Photoshop.
This is not an inkscape limitation. You won't be able to separate a bitmap image in Corel or Illustrator either.

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask matthew for more information if necessary.

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